CU women's soccer drops 5-3 decision

Laerke Michaelsen scored twice and Eliza Balen posted a goal and an assist, as SCAD-Savannah dominated possession in the second half en route to a 5-3 victory over 13th-ranked Cumberland on Friday in women’s soccer action at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field.

The Bulldogs (2-1-0) held two leads in the match, but the Bees (3-2-0) knotted the score within 90 seconds both times in the first half. Michaelsen gave SCAD the lead midway through the first half, but Cumberland tied the match on Taylor Nay’s deflected goal 50 seconds later.

The visitors took the lead for good on Meadhbh Deeney’s terrific strike in the final minute of the first half and Michaelsen added her second goal in the 64th minute and the Bulldogs were unable to connect with many passes after intermission, leading to more possession and more chances for the Bees.

SCAD outshot Cumberland, 16-12, in the match, and both keepers made four saves.

Cumberland scored quickly to start the contest, with Rhianne Parsons feeding Shauna Gilpin in the second minute for a point blank shot and score, but the Bees responded, tying the match less than two minutes later when Balen headed in a corner kick from Shelby Dieckamp.

CU took a 2-1 edge in the 11th minute on a goal by Parsons, who took a pass from Michelle Ward at the top of the box just as the defense began to move away from the net. Parsons beat one defender and had a wide-open look at a shot from 15 yards, netting her third goal of the season just right of a diving Ande Eich.

SCAD came back quickly again, knotting the match at two just over a minute later. Balen picked up a loose ball in the midfield, dribbled to the top of the box before laying off a pass to Nikki Wittak, who found the back of the net for the visitors.

The Bees took the lead in the 23rd minute when Dieckamp crossed the ball near the endline. It went off Wittak and into the waiting arms of Michaelsen, who made easy work from six yards for a 3-2 advantage.

The Bulldogs were the ones to come right back this time, as Nay picked up a loose ball near the top of the box. Her shot deflected off a defender and past the keeper, tying the match once again.

SCAD netted a late goal to take a 4-3 halftime lead, with Deeney’s shot near the far left corner of the box landing perfectly far post in the upper 90.

SCAD controlled play for much of the second half and Michaelsen’s goal came on an assist from Nina Gonzalez. Cumberland’s best chance of the period came on a breakaway in the final 10 minutes by Parsons, who beat the keeper to a long ball near the top of the box, but the one-touch rolled just wide.

Cumberland will begin Mid-South Conference action at home next Tuesday, facing Campbellsville at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs will also play Trinity International at home on Sept. 14 at noon.